Rafi’s relationship with Shankar Jaikishan had not been glorified in bollywood history
This article is written by Mr. Souvik Chatterji.
Rafi had a very sweet relationship with Shankar Jaikishan but unfortunately their relationship had not been glorified in bollywood history. Whenever contribution of composers relating to classic creations involving Rafi are highlighted the name of Naushad, Roshan, Madanmohan, OP Nayyar are glorified and the contribution of Shankar Jaikishan is ignored.
If Rafi’s stylish andaz relating to westernized compositions are adequately utilized it is Shankar Jaikishan who had used it to perfection. They had used Rafi for singing romantic songs with Japanese orchestration in Love in Tokyo including songs like “aja re aa zara aaâ€, “Japan, Love in Tokyoâ€, “ o mere shahekhubaâ€, etc. In Biswajeet’s April Fool SJ’s composition for Rafi including “aa gale lag ja†had westernized background.
SJ’s composition for Rafi in Shammi Kapoor’s An Evening in Paris like “akele akele kahan ja rahe hoâ€, “raat ke humsafarâ€, had loud French music with echo effect and Rafi’s intonation was also westernized. Shankar Jaikishan gave a completely different style of music to Rafi in Rajender Kumar’s Aarzoo with songs like “aji ruth kar abâ€, “chalke teri aankho seâ€, “ai nargisi mastanaâ€, etc.
Shankar and Jaikishan with Sharmila Tagore and Mohd Rafi. – An Evening in Paris
SJ had given songs addressing children to Rafi including “nanne munne bache teri mutthi me kya hai†in Boot Polish, “hai na bolo boloâ€, “re mamma re mamma re†in Shammi Kapoor’s Andaz and “chakke pe chakka†in Brahmchari. Rafi pronounced the words with childish accent and SJ used the orchestration to attract children.
There were ghazals also given by SJ for Rafi including “rukh se zara nakab†in Jeetender’s Mere Huzoor, “unke khayal aye to†in Raj Kumar’s Lal Patthar, etc. Besides SJ’s creation involving Rafi in somber mood had created great impact including songs like “teri zulfon ki judai to nahi maangi thi†in Dev Anand’s Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, “ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar†in Shammi Kapoor’s Junglee, “yaad na aye†in Rajender Kumar’s Dil Ek Mandir.
Shankar Jaikishan had used Rafi’s classical andaz in the songs “radheke tune bansoori churaiâ€, “ajahu na ayeâ€, etc., and combined the ragas with devotional andaz. SJ ha given music in almost 200 films within the span from 1949 to 1971, and at least each year they composed music for approximately 10 films. As Rafi was given predominance over other male singers SJ had use him in regular intervals even without doing injustice to Mukesh, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar, Talat Mehmood and others. Songs like “kaun hai jo sapno me aya†from Jhuk Gaya Aasman, “to bura maan gaye†from Ayee Milan Ki Bela, “yeh ankhen†from Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, “tujhe jeevan ki dor se†from Aasli Nakli, “dheere dheere chal†from Love Marriage, “badan pe sitaren lapete hue†from Prince, “mai kahin kavi na banjayun†from Pyar Hi Pyar, “mai gayun tum so jao†from Brahmchari, had not lost their flavour even 40 years after their creation due to sheer brilliance of Shankar Jaikishan. It is really tragic neither Shankar Jaikishan had received the accolades that they deserved nor Rafi’s association with them had been glorified but history says that the combination of Rafi with Shankar Jaikishan had produced invaluable creations which had become immortal over the period of time.
Without any doubt shakar jaikishan and rafi was the best combination ever in indian industry surpassing the rest.
If it is ignored its merely by shear jealousy and i would not even dare pick examples of songs as there are too many of them.
I believe this is the one Binu sir’s talked about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rmWBiF90EM
This is a LP score, not SJ’s.
Here’s ‘chun chun karti….’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZwHBfXPjVc
Binu.. the song which mehmood sings in the dream sequence is Hum kaale hain tho kya hua dil wale hain.. from the movie Gumnaam.
Harry.
Souvikji:
In our part of the country (Kerala), SJ is rated very highly by the music lovers (including composers and singers) and their associationship with Rafisahab is well-appreciated. Personally speaking, the SJ pair is right up there (among the top 3) when it comes to Rafisahab’s associationship with MDs.
I’ve read that the other noted MDs weren’t too happy with SJ for making Rafisahab sing (at a sustained high pitch) ‘dil ke jharoke mein….’. Do you have any informations on this regard?
Dear Ghulamji,
Greetings to you and all the readers of the Forum on the eve of Bijoya after Durgapuja and Dussehra. In respect of Rafi’s relationship with Shankar Jaikishan, I remember an interview given by Manna Dey in Kolkata in the early 80s where he said SJ were probably the few composers who made Raj Kapoor give lips in the song sung by Rafi, the song was “tum hi tum ho” from the film Ek Dil Sau Afsana where Raj Kapoor and Wahida Rehman were the leading performers. Raj Kapoor appreciated the capability of Rafi in adapting to westernised tunes. That was the reason why Rafi’s song “ki tum naraz na hona” was played at the end of the film Sangam when the ashes of Rajender Kumar were immersed in Prayag Sangam by Raj Kapoor and Vaijayantimala. Any song of Lata or Mukesh could not had created a lasting impression the way Rafi’s song created in the film Sangam. Raj Kapoor in his statement before the media had said other singers were greats, Rafi was a genius. But I still stick to my point that SJ are really very underrated composers. Whenever people think aboout Hindustani Classicals of Lucknow Gharana they think about Naushad, whenever any discussion on ghazala are raised the name of Madanmohan comes into picture, but SJ were not identified under any single category. But composing different types of songs is not a discredit, SJ probably had dealt with every leading male and female singer of the golden age and songs ranging from Classical, to Westernised creations to folk songs.
Dear Binuji,
Please send me the CD of the program that will be held to remember SJ. I am presently Lecturer in Law in NLU, Jodhpur. I wont be able to attend it. My address is National Law University, Jodhpur, NH-65, Nagour Road, Mandore, Rajasthan.
I would have been priviledged to hear Mr Manohari and his sexaphone the instrument which lost its importance after the death of SJ.
Best wishes from my part for the program that will be devoted to Rafi and SJ.
Souvik Chatterji.
Post No. 27 (myk) and Post no. 41(Binu ji) When the song `Kahan jaa raha hai’ from Film Seema was recorded in Rafi’s voice, in the final antara of the song `…Vo kyun tod daale’, his voice cracked while rendering the word `tod’. Normally, any such discrepancy would be removed and the song re-recorded. Shankar ordered that this song be re-recorded. But Jaikishen intervened and told Shankar to retain this song with the cracked voice at the word `tod’. Since this song was being picturized for a tragic sequence, it would be very effective if this cracked voice was retained, Jaikishen reasoned. This was finally accepted by Shankar and this song with the discrepancy was retained as the final version. Those who saw this movie can see for themselves how effective Jaikishen’s decision was. The song chun chun karti aayee chidiya is from the movie ab dilli door nahi and the music was composed by datta ram, who has worked with SJ. On Sunday that followed the sad demise of Rafi Saheb the movie telecasted to pay tribute to the legend by National Channel was Basant Bahar that was composed by SJ.
Dear All
I am a big Mohd Rafi Sahab fan and I would like to let you know that there is a song which he sang and it is Ae Malik Is Sansaar Di Ho Jaye Parayee Dhee, this song is very sad and it is played on weddings when the rukhsati is taking place, if someone please has it can you send it to me on k.rashid@tees.ac.uk
Many many thanks to everybody
Khalid Rashid
UK
Dearest Souvikji,
Your subject article touches our hearts as the such was awaited from the last many years specially Rafi Sahib’s relationship with legent music directors. there are so many high valued gems like: “Muqabla him say na karo” film Prince composed by SJ this contest is originally between Lataji, Ashaji & Mohammad Rafi Sahib, his entery is wounderfull “Hamarey Samney Yeh Jalway neh kam key yeh husanwaley be humi say hei hartey” Rafi Sahib used his meloious voice on high pitch no one can repeat it. In this wounderful song SJ used superb Arabian Music with Bollywood’s music the two different culture has picturized very beautiful. SJ always keep their priority on top of list only Mohammad Rafi Sahib to success the film. In Film Andaz “Hein Na bolo bolo” Entry of Rafi Sahib is superb. An other film Janwar “Dekho Kis ko nahe hey Khabar” with elect. Gattar composition is wounderful, start music in Film “Harey Kanch Key Churian” Song Panchhi ray o panchhi” touches our hearts. Souvikji, your article is more informative for all lovers it would be a honour if other information may kindly be forwarded in other article as asked by learned lover Mr. Myk specially for their 3rd question if possible. Thanks again for this valued article. Regards. Ghulam Mujtaba/Lahore Chapter.
mohd rafi in a different voice altogether : the song is dushman hai zamana, thenge se, see the way rafi saaheb has modulated his voice. kishore, manna dey would not have modulated it so finely. i request mr . surajit bose to hear this song and also request my friends , mr hussein to upload this song for the pleasure of mohd rafi lovers. binu nair, rafi foundation , mumbai, cell 9833 250 701
mohd rafi saaheb in a different, different voice altogether : please listen to the song : chun chun karti aayee chidhiyaa, it’s fun hearing rafi saaheb . it must be from the film boot polish, may be, not sure. we had taken this song live at the shailendra programme and it was really nostalgic. the second song – very different voice, i will post soon. its sung by mehmood in a dream sequence. surely i will come back on this
When i had the land line connection of Airtel i have
put Rafi Saab’s song “tum mujhe yum” from “pagla
kahi ka” as ring tone.one of the truck drivers who
used to transport our materials once told me “are
saab aap ne kya gaana lagaya.mai ne raat me wo
gana sunane ke liye aap ke office ko phone kartaa
daa”
when rafi saab died on 31st July 1980,the anchor
of chaaya geet – kanta gupta put this song in the
chaya geet programme of that black day and asked
after hearing this song can you believe that rafi saab
is no more i have cried like a child.
a tribute show for legends shankar-jaikishan : on nov.16 a sunday music lovers will gather in strength at mira roads gcc club lawns from 6.30 p.m. onwards and rafi foundation will honour the memory of music legends shankar and jaikishan. some 30 songs of the maestros will be presented if not more – time permitting. we will hold three music events each year and music lovers wanting to attend may please contact us for their entry passes. the singers who will perform are the best from mumbai and veteran saxophone player manohari da who worked with shankar-jaikishan will play the parts in the live music event. the singers are shrikant narayan, vrushali patil,kumar subu, sagar, kakaji – all famous names in mumbais music circles. please be there and write to us or get in touch. binu nair, rafi foundation, mumbai. binus2000@hotmail.com ( 9833 250 701 )
TO :
ALL RAFISAHAB FANS I M SUNEIL M I HAVE CREATED FORUM ON RAFISAHAB YOU CAN UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD SONGS ALSO SO PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE FORUM MY FORUM ID IS http://www.enjoyatkhushi.com/smf/index.php
YOU HAVE 2 REGISTER THAN ONLY U WILL ABLE 2 UPLOAD OR DOWNLOAD SO PLEASE KINDLY GO N VIST MY FORUM . I THANKS HAMARAFORUMS FROM BOTTOM OF MY HEART ALSO FOR GIVING ME INSPIRATION TO CREATE THE FORUM AND TO KEEP RAFISAHAB ALIVE IN OUR HEARTS .
JAB TAK SURAJ CHAND RAHEGA RAFISAHAB TUMARA NAAM RAHEGA . JAI RAFISAHAB .
THANKS & REGARDS . .
SUNIEL .
My favorites are:
Dil ke jharoke mein
Main gao tum so jao
ehsaan tera hoga mujh par
Humein kale hain to kya hua
Baharo phool barsao
teri pyari pyari surat ko
tum mujhe yun
kaun hai jo sapno mein aaya
I owe my gratitude to all the learned readers of this Forum that they had spared their valuable time for reading my article on Shankar Jaikishan and Rafi. I agree with the comments of most of the readers that article after article can be devoted to SJ and Rafi and it is not possible to do justice on the relationship with a small article. I want to mention one more fact. That Shankar Jaikishan had wide influence on the contemporary composers even more than the other composers of the golden age. If the composition of Dattaram are studied in films like Srimaan Satyawadi, Parvarish, etc., anyone can find resemblance with SJ. The compositions of Ravi in films like Chinatown, Nazrana, Do Badan, has wide similarity with SJ. The composers who had the greatest influence of SJ include Laxmikant Pyarellal who ruled Indian films in the 70s and 80s. If Rafi’s songs in the film Night in London including “nazar na lag jaye”, in the film Shagird including “woh hai zara”, in the film Mere Humdum Mere Dost including “na jaa kabhi ab na ja” are studied the listeners can hardly distinguish them from the composition of SJ. LP were ardent followers of SJ and helped Rafi a lot in hi comeback in the late 70s. If the other leading composers of that age are considered there were not s many number of their followers if compared with SJ.
Souvik Chatterji.
friends, we are not going to see another sj in our life time. they are the gift of god and such pearls do not come often.
Hello Souvik Chatterji,
Very written article. An entire book can be written on SJ-Rafi association. In fact SJ have used Rafi in every possible aspect of singing with no scale left untouched.
Great write up by Raju Korti Ji.
Mr. myk:
Sometimes ago you had posted the translation of a Hindi magazine Madhuri article by Shankar (of s-j duo). That article very nicely captured the relationship between the great musical pair and the great playback singer. Will you be kind enough to post it again for the benfit of the readers of this thread. Thanks.
Janab Sovik Bhai,
Superb article. Congratulations!
Rafi Sahab had two English songs with the lyrics by Harindranath Chatto and music by Shankar Jaikishan.
1) Although we hale from different – on “Baharo phool barsao” theme.
2) Its lover’s duty… The she I love – on “Hum kale hain to kiya hua” theme.
Long live Rafi Sahab,
With regards to all Rafi lovers,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
Dear Souvikbhai:
Your article made interesting reading.You are very correct to say that no’great song and dance’ was ever made by the media or otherwise about the combined contribution to HFM by the maestros Shankar – Jaikishan and Rafi saab. It is very difficult,nay impossible, to follow and repeat the performance level of this combination. Just as an example, listen to the hardly known song ‘dokha khayegi naa yaaronki nazar’from Singapore and notice how brilliantly Rafi has emoted for Shammi Kapoor and how SJ has produced captivating music.Absolutely sensational.
Your article has missed out mention of a few memorable hits of this super combination:
Ye Mera Prem Patr
Kahaan Jaa Raha Hai
Bahaaron Phool Barsaao
Teri Pyari Pyari Soorat
But all in all an interesting subject.We can only remember and reminisce about those glorious musical classics because:
“janewaale kabhi nahin aate, jaanewaaleki yaad aati hai”
M V Devraj
i think shankar jaikishan were amongst the most talented music directors that our film industry has produced till today. they have set extremely high standards of orchestration with complete harmony with the singers they used. their music had great variations. i think no other music directors could produce such varieties. they were equally good at all such varieties/. they used heavy orchestrations with all the musical instruments in great harmony. they frequently used accordian and piano superbly in many of his songs. while they used mukesh and manna dey in many of his songs that turned out to be great hits, his first choice was rafi, especially when it came to be a tough ones using great variations…….. from going lowest to highest notes. i think every music lover knows the greatness of shankar jaikishan and rafi. these people have created real gems for the generations to come.
Thanks, Korti sir for the informative post. As you’ve mentioned, the SJ pair shared good personal rapport with the ‘Farishta’. That’s one of the reasons why they were able to extract all those hitherto unknown shades of Rafisahab’s vocals. I personally find it amazing how someone got the soft-spoken, introvertish Rafisahab to sing ‘yahoo…’, ‘Love in Tokyo….’, ‘Badan pe sitare…’ or ‘Aaja re aa zara…’.
Souvikbhai
Superb post!
In fact, thereare so many aspects to this ‘glorious’ relationship that it is
impossible to highlight them in an article!
No one challenged Rafi’s voice more than SJ!
And Rafi needless to add turned them to pure gold!
Dil Tera Deewana Hain Sanam, Jaante ho tum kuch na kahenge hum!
Mohabbat ki Kasam! Mohabbat ki Kasam!
The musical arrangement is such that any singer would simply get scared
and run away! 🙂 But just listen to Rafi, he literally ‘elevates’ that song and
even Lata
finds it difficult to go along!
The SJ-Rafi relationship clearly went beyond music! But little is known about this.
Fans would recall that Jaikishan orchestrated the patch up between Lata & Rafi!
When Shankar spoke about how Rafi sang for Barsaat, it was a BIG moment for the duo “Rafisahab hamari film ke liye gaayenge! Rafisahab hamara gaana hit kar dijiye!”
And that is exactly what went on thoughout the life and career of these great men!
On our SJ yahoo group we have discussed many aspects of this relationship but this is one subject which will go on forever and ever!
Delighted to read your post Souvikbhai!
Shahrukh 😉
Moderator
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/shankarjaikishan/
Korti-ji,
Thanks for the fantastic write-up and great information. For me, S-J are the best ever MD’s to grace the film world, and I fully agree that to this day their orchestration remains the best.
Jaikishan was no doubt a huge admirer of Rafi-saab, and so was Shankar, they both loved ‘Saatwan Sur’ a lot (as do countless others), and they both gave him outstanding songs.
Please continue to give us more information on S-J and Rafi.
I have a few questions:
1) How did Rafi-saab rate the S-J duo compared to other MD’s ?.
2) What were Rafi saab’s thoughts on the passing away of Jaikishan in 1971 ?.
3) From your meeting with S-J, please tell us more about their music room, recording studio, where they used to rehearse, producers, actors, singers who all used to visit and wait for them, Jai’s frequent visits to the Gaylord’s restaurant etc.
4) What were Rafi-saab’s favourite S-J songs ?. I had read somewhere that he rated “Kahan ja raha hai” from Seema as #2 on his all-time list, is this true ?.
5) Please tell us more about SJ-Rafi rehearsals, recordings, anecdotes etc.
Shankar and Jailkishan are the most popular music directors of Indian film music. They used Rafi Saheb maximum than any other singers. Rafi Saheb sang all types of songs for SJ. Rafi Saheb was their favourite singer.
refer to posts by myk and mr souvik
let me make one thing very clear at the outset. that shankar jaikishen were (or are) the most popular composers of the film industry. to say that there was a section of music lovers who were jealous of them is nothing unusual. in the film industry all those who made name and fame over a long period of time, had their share of detractors. it’s a natural corollary that success in its wake also brings jealousy. sj were no exception. but it is a complete myth that sj were not acknowledged for their musical supremacy.
sj’s biggest competitor between 1957 and 1966, op nayyar, who stole hearts with his peppy numbers (the naya daur to humsaaya span) was also his biggest vocal admirer. i recall nayyar going gaga over sj and it had me by complete surprise. i can reproduce what nayyar said then: “they are truly the composres of masses. look at their compositions, pure gems and jewels. do we have music directors like them who understand the public pulse so well? and he made out a lengthy case saying all his peers like naushad, madan mohan, c ramchandra, khayyam, ghulam haider, sajjad, anil biswas were also greats but were niche composers. “take for instance naushad. his tunes can be contrived classically. but sj’s tunes were so spontaneous and yet classy,” he said with genuine admiration.
to sj’s credit, the two, who initially were influenced by the first music director duo husnlal bhagatram, quickly metamorphosed into their own trademark compositions. i am personally of the opinion that sj’s sense of orchestration remains unsurpassed to this day. i will not launch myself into reeling out their songs. those who know will know.
between the two, jai was the most ebullient and talented. usually shankar was classically inclined while jai was more into light tunes. but they gelled so magnificently.
jai would oiften say how his tunes were grasped so well and amazingly rendered by rafisaab. the carefree soul that he was, jai pointedly told raj kapoor during the making of sangam how rafi, though not being the hero’s voice, had hopelessly outclassed mukesh with yeh mera prem patra padhkar when mukesh had put his heart and soul into dost dost na raha.
if one has studied the sj-rafi combination, you will notice an interesting dimension. rafi always provided them that melodious contradiction. for instance if rafi were to go high pitch with yahoo for a boisterous shammi kapoor, he would change tack completely with ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar for the same hero. and so evocatively. in fact, this has been an endearing and enduring feature of the team. i have known jai as an ardent admirer of rafi and this feeling was reciprocated. rafi never stopped wondering how a good looking man could be so musically inclined and talented. such was the relationship between them that not many words were spoken between them. only sur and notes was exchanged. the respect reflected in their disposition towards each other. even at filmfare awards function, sj would make it a point to come with full strength. and a smiling rafi responded fabulously. jai on his part was always surprised how rafi could negotiate and glide through those octaves so effortlessly. the rapport was so complete that whenever a tune was conceived the first words jai would utter was “only rafi will and can sing this.’
it really does not matter whether sj-rafi relationship was glorified or not. what comes through so resonatingly is the kind of synergy they displayed and the songs they made. no one needs any further proof. they made everlasting music and that’s what we must appreciate. in any case jai and rafi were not the kind of people who trumpeted (as today’s singers and composers do) about themselves.
so let’s only bask in that heady music. that’s all we as lesser mortals can do
Thanks a lot Mr. Shashank for your honest comments. There is a big section of music lovers who were quite jealous about Shankar Jaikishan and never acknowledged their versatility just because their music was too popular. They have got 9 filmfare awards during a period when Naushad, Roshan, Madan Mohan, OP Nayyar and many other genius composers contributed for bollywood music. If you see the film Gumnaam, if you will find that there is no similarity of one composition with the other. Lata’s song “gumnaam hai koi” was related to creation of ghostly atmosphere. Rafi’s song “jaan pehchaan ho” was based on rock and roll andaz. “is duniya me jeena ho to” was composed with a happy mood. Rafi’s song “hum kale hai to” was based on comedy andaz. It had happened with most of the films of SJ. Whenever their reference comes most of the space is taken up for the compositions relating to RK films as they were attached with Raj Kapoor. But other than RK films they had composed music for many other films and Rafi played a very significant role in those complicated compositions. SJ are probably the most underated composers of the golden age.
Souvik Chatterji
SJ shared a great partnership with Rafisahab. IMO, it’s this pair who brought out, consistently, the full range and depth of Rafisahab’s singing prowess. But is this partnership not glorified? I’m not too sure..
Korti-ji,
Jaikishan’s death in 1971 was a huge body blow to HFM. Can you please elaborate on Rafi’s saab’s thoughts and feelings towards Jai’s passing away. When you met Rafi-saab, did he mention anything about Jai’s death ?. Rafi-saab lost one of his most closest composers.
Looking forward to your write-up on SJ-Rafi !.
Really fantastic article by Souvik. Great! Indeed Mohdrafi and SJ was made for each other in the film industry. Rafisahab was a god given gift for this industry. He sang for each and every actors. the two important actors was shammi kapoor and Rajendra kumar, he gave voice in every films of SJ composers. I want to know another great actor and showman Rajkapoor introduced rafisahab in his 2 most memorable films Barsaat and Shree 420 which rafisahab became popular the songs was “Mein Zindagi mein hardum rota hi raha hoon” and the other is with his great collegues Mukesh and Lata, the song is “Ramaiyaa Vastavayya” from shree 420. I love both the songs. The way he sang no other singer would have sang and in another film “Brahmachari”, there is 2 versions of songs which is happy and sad, the song is “Mein gaoon tum so javo” where souvik added in his article, how he sang. He sang all 3 brothers of Kapoor family and also Rajkapoors 2 sons Rishi and Ranbhir Kapoor also. What a great singer he was. Such type of personality come only once, not again
shashank.
in fact,shanker-jaikishan team took out almost every type of song fr rafi saab…they made him perfect alrounder in playback singing…but their efforts n contributions in the film industry r not properly highlighted in the befitting way…thanks to souvik chateerjee who elaborated beautifully their association…rafisaab was their most favourite…because he could churn every type of composition in the most perfect was he could do….shankerjaikishan mostly had rafisaab in stage programme in india abroad…i hv seen many recordings with the films….can u (mr,souvik chatterjee) give me live recordings of srage shows with rafisaab….as i am greatest fan of rafisaab…he is god for me….n million of listeners ……
Good article souvikji, and after a long delay. i remember you had earlier too penned on the same subject. keep writing.
THATS TRUE.MEDIA DID NOT ELABORATE SJ’S CONTRIBUTION TO LEGENDS SUPER HITS .NO DOUBT IN IT.SJ ‘S CREATIONS ARE MARVELLOUS.THERE ARE MANY OTHER FORGOTTEN MAESTROS WHO USED RAFI SAHEB’S VOICE AND THEY WERE HITS OF TIME.CREDIT MUST BE GIVEN TO THE CREATORS AND THE LEGEND MADE THEM IMMORTALS.
Dear All Rafi fans,
I am writing this article as a true rafi fan.We seem to have forgotten to even mention Mahendra Kapoor a disciple of Rafi saab who passed away.Like his mentor he too is forgotten by the shamless media who can only remember lata asha rd and kk.I request you all knowledgable people to write some article on Mahendra Kapoor.
thanks to.mr.souvik. rafi sahib being born india in india is the rarest blessing to we indians.no body can sing tumhare hain tumse daya mangte hain(boot polish),tootey hoey khawabo ne (madhumati),kaun hai jo sapno mey aaya,Mata ki Bhaint fro film Aasha and on on on on …………I remember that eveningwithextreme violent winds & rains when rafisahibs sudden death was broadcast on radio in delhi and there was gloom all over
Dear All,
I always eager to study the article which is relating to the true maestro rafi sahib. Shankar Jai kishan was the true maestro of Music line they always used the Sexophone in every song. I like to listen the songs of Shankar jai kishan. I feel very happy when i received the article of Rafi sahib’s grand son who is now attached with us. Please also invite me when you organised the rafi nite.Sir, please also write the article of Naushad Sahib & Rafi Sahib relationship.
Thanks,
With regards
Suresh Chauhan
098558-05688
Dear Mr. Korti,
Greetings!
I do agree that one small article cannot highlight the strong relationship of SJ and Rafi. If you remember by old article on SJ in this forum you will know that I had discussed about the virtues of the legend. In fact if required each film of SJ where he had used deserves a separate article. For example, the film Ayee Milan Ki Bela. The songs “mai pyar ka diwana”, “tum khamseen ho”, “aha ayee milan ki bela”, “to bura maan gaye”, “o sanam tere ho gay hum” all are composed with separate orchestration and Rafi’s bass and sweetness had been ably used by SJ for the benefit of Rajender Kumar. Similarly all the songs of Junglee, including “meri yaar shabba khair”, “ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar”, “suku suku” were independantly created different from each other. Rafi was as elegant as SJ himself. My point is just because SJ had given many tunes to Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Talat Mehmood, Manna Dey, Hemant Kumar, there is apparent underrating of ghe relationship of SJ with Rafi. In fact the trend that they had set was followed by LP in he 70s when Jaikishan died and that had kept Rafi busy in the late 70s too.
Souvik Chatterji.
Do all know that Rafi sahab has sung more than 350 songs for Shankar-Jaikishen which is more that Mukesh and Manna dey’s association with the duo.
Infact pl correct me if Iam wrong Mukesh-SJ combine is less than 150 songs….
Only Lata is the maximum for them
Very interesting article
No one can match the SJ- Rafi Combo with all lead actors Shammi,Rajendra,Dharam,Shashi and all the songs of Rafi saab was a hit…
The next best of SJ is with Mukeshji n Manna da with Raj kapoor…
Infact the Rafi sahab’s songs with SJ is 3 times more than Mukeshji/SJ combine
The media they made things from nothings………..but they was not able to rank Mohd Rafi number two.SJ with Mohd Rafi they star working If am not wrong in 1949,in 1950’s Naushand with Mohd Rafi mean hit song and it was same in 1960’s Mohd Rafi with SJ mean hit songs.
The media made mr Bachchan from super star to nothing may you all remember that only few years ago…….
Mohd Rafi with SJ 5 stars
Mohd Rafi with Naushand 5 stars
Mohd Rafi with Madan Mohan 5 stars
Mohd Rafi with OP Nayar 5 stars
Mohd rafi with SD Burman 5 Stars
Mohd Rafi with LP 5 strars
Dear Korti-ji,
Can you please share with us more about the relationship between Kalyanji-Anandji and Rafi-saab ?. There is not much written on this relationship, as well as the great songs they produced together.
What are your views on the duo, and how was their relationship with Rafi ?. For 22 years (from the time Kalyanji started out solo, right up to 1980), the three of them produced many outstanding songs. Up to 1980, this duo was most prolific with Rafi. K-A are a very under-rated duo, but they were very talented. Have you by any chance met Kalyanji and Anandji, and what were their views on ‘Saatwan Sur’ Rafi ?.
Since this is an S-J thread, and you feel its not the best place to respond, then can you please respond in the ‘True Voice’ section, where I have written about K-A recently, or you can respond here if you wish.
Dear All,
Hello Everybody,
I am Ashok from Mumbai. I am a dedicated fan of Rafi Sahab and I always want to listen to the rarest of his songs.
Could anybody tell me the opening lines of his song which may be containing the following lines :
Sangat Karo Bado Ki To Badhat Badhat Jaye
Sangat Karo Choto Ki To Phi Phir Gota Khaye
So, if possible please let me know the tiltle of this song and the film from which it is ….
Regards,
Ashok
I must congratulate Mr Chatterji for this wonderful and very interesting information about the relationship between SJ’s and Rafi Sahab. Their friendship and closeness comes out in all their songs. My god bless them.
Shankar Jaikishan regularly experimented with Rafi Sahab’s voice, given its phenomenal range and adaptability. For instance, from the racy and lively ‘Hum kaale hai to kya hua’ (Gumnaam, 1965) to the pathos-filled title song from the film Aman (1967), Rafi’s techinque of singing was impeccable in both numbers.
mr chatterji
a correction: saaze dil chhed de.. is not from “raajhat” but from the film “passport”. it had pradeep kumar and madhubala.
my apologies, but one can’t dismiss the raf-sj relationship in such a scrappy and flaky manner. please expect a long response on the relationship between the two, though i myself can’t claim to do full justice.
JAIKISHAN SHARED A VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH RAFISAAB.HE DIED PREMATUREDLY AT A YOUNG AGE OF 39!! BUT THE DUO WAS NUMERO UNO IN THE 60S & IT WAS A OPEN SECRET THAT OUTSIDE R.K.STUDIO RAFISAAB WAS THEIR MAINSTAY.JAB PYAR KISISE HOTA HAI TITLE SONG WAS COMPOSED EXCLUSIVELYBY JAI TO PROVE A POINT THAT RAFISAAB WAS AHEAD OF HIS FEMAIL COUNTERPART,EXPOSING HER WEEKNESS AT HIGH PITCH.
the rafi foundation proposes to stage shankar-jaikishan musical event on saturday, nov 16 with a ten piece orchestra and it’s titled : “tumhe pyaar karte karte” and no less than 1000 music lovers will be attending.
this is our way of tributing shankar-jaikishan – the trendsetters of the indian music scene.
binu nair, binus2000@hotmail.com
The music directors Shankar Jaikishan are realy true maestro’s
I like them very much, and they are greater then great.
May God bless our Shankar & Jaikishan.
Mr. Jaikishan is no more between us, May God make his soul rest in Peace. Amen.
I have always felt this fantastic combination has forgotten by the media.